Live Chat with Admissions directors for the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA programs

Curious about applying to Chicago Booth's Evening MBA or Weekend MBA programs? Join us for a live chat with George Andrews, associate dean of the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Programs at Chicago Booth and other Admissions directors. We will answer questions about the admissions process, tips for application, and other admissions-related questions.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 - Noon CST

From -> To

Message

Moderator -> Everyone

Hello everyone! Thank you for joining us today. Our chat will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. CDT. Feel free to begin submitting your questions now so we can start providing answers at noon.

George -> Everyone

Hello all, we are very excited about today's chat! Get your food, get your drink and your answers all in an hour!

George -> Everyone

BTW, just for the visual, I am having corn beef, cabbage and vegetables. We will get started answering questions in five minutes.

Moderator -> Everyone

Hello everyone. Welcome to our live chat! Thank you for joining us today. We are eager to answer all your questions, so please begin submitting them now.

Beth -> Everyone

Thank you for joining us today! I'm Beth Daily, associate director and I'm available to answer your application-related questions.

Krista -> Everyone

Hi everyone! Thanks for attending today. I'm Krista McNamara, Assistant Director, and I'm happy to answer your questions. I oversee the Chicago Business Fellows program, for applicants with less than three years of work experience.

Hi - if a candidates has multiple GMAT scores, which do you look at? Higher? Lower? Average? Thank you.

Beth -> Keith

Keith, while we review your application based on the highest score, we will look at all of the scores you submit. We do not average the scores together.

Zach -> Nico

I have held multiple jobs within my company, how should I capture them under the Work Experience section?

Nico -> Zach

Hi Zach. I would recommend capturing your responsibilities for each position on your resume and in the "work experience" section with few bullet points.

sr236 -> George

Hi, I'm interested in getting a dual masters in financial math degree in conjunction with the department of math. Have you had students in the past who have worked towards both degrees at the same time?

George -> sr236

Not sure. We can find out for you. We have many people getting joint degree's including all kinds of masters, JD and MD's. I could go back look into our application site and see. Write our hotline eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu and we will get you the answer.

Zach -> Krista

I have a Master Certificate in Six Sigma and Lean from a university, how should I capture that in the education section?

What's the average GMAT score for the Class of 2014 Weekend MBA program?

George -> Gavin

690, with 80% falling between 750 and 630

DKubis -> Krista

Good afternoon, I intend to apply for either the weekend or evening program. I would prefer the weekend program to begin but have a conflict with the launch dates. Is it acceptable to attend the launch for the other (evening) program?

Krista -> DKubis

Hi DKubis, Yes, it is possible to defer LAUNCH. Upon admittance to the program, you can let us know and we'll work on that with you.

KRISHNA -> Nico

I am interested to apply for this year weekend MBA program. My company pays for tution. I did not take GMAT yet. Is it necessary to take test before the application?

Nico -> KRISHNA

Hi Krishna. Yes, it is necessary to take the GMAT or GRE before submitting an application.

Andy_Hilgenberg -> Beth

I recently applied to the Evening MBA program for the Summer Quarter and have an interview scheduled on 4/19. When do you plan on letting applicants know whether or not they have been accepted to the program?

Beth -> Andy_Hilgenberg

Andy, the application review process takes 4-6 weeks, but we always strive to make decisions as quickly as possible. Provided your application is complete and has been reviewed at the time of your interview, you should have a final decision from us shortly after completing your interview. I look forward to seeing you on 4/19, as I will be hosting the interviews that day.

Sara -> Beth

Hello! Is the deadline for Winter 2015 applications released at this point? Thank you.

Hello Krista, Beth, Nico, and George. Hope you are all doing well. I am interested in the Chicago Business Fellows program and wanted to know if there are other interview dates other than the April 26, 2014 date. I see that there are multiple interview dates for the Weekend MBA but not for the CBF program. Could this be because most candidates apply with more than 3 years of experience?

Krista -> Yousuf_H.

Hi Yousuf, Thanks for joining today! There is one interview day for the CBF program because the structure of the interview is a little different. If you're unable to interview on April 26, we can arrange to have you interview done a different time. Please email our hotline and we can assist you: eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu.

James -> Nico

Are all evening MBA courses taught at the Gleacher center?

Nico -> James

Hi James! Yes, all Evening and Weekend classes are taught here at Gleacher.

Ravi_Turlapati -> Beth

My preference is to join the evening MBA program. However, down the line; based on work commitments; I might be interested in the weekend classes. Are the programs flexible that way?

Beth ->Ravi_Turlapati

Ravi, good question. You have two options. You can take Weekend classes as an Evening MBA student. If you find you would prefer to take all of your classes in the Weekend program, you can submit a petition for a one-time transfer from the Evening to Weekend program. This would give you bidding priority for all Weekend classes.

Denis -> Krista

I submitted some post-bacc transcripts directly to Booth but I don't have an electronic copy to upload, is that ok or would you rather I get one sent to me?

Krista -> Denis

Hi Denis, If you had them sent directly to Booth we can upload them for you. Please give us a call 312.464.8700 or email eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu and we can check to see if we received the hard copies yet.

Cocciolone -> George

Hi Team, thank you for hosting this today. My first question is around the career services' role during enrollment and post graduation. What role does the career services team play in assisting those who are looking to transfer careers post graduation?

George -> Cocciolone

It can be as little or much as you wish. Most of our students actually get their jobs through the network of 1600 other part-time students and the 42,000 alumni. However, you have career services for life at Booth, and we post over 5,000 jobs that are available to alumni. Also, you can use the career coaching and resources in the career center forever and ever and ever...

James -> Nico

Hi Nico, you mentioned that weekend MBA students can take the GRE. Is that the case for the other programs as well?

Hello! If a student needs to take quarters off, are there any ongoing financial obligations during their break from studies or do you simply pay by the class?

George -> Brendan

You pay by the class. You only pay when you take a class. If you take financial aid, you will go into repayment if you take two consecutive quarters off. When you resume you would go back into deferral status.

Anand -> Beth

HI I am in Atlanta.Is it possible for me to apply weekend MBA.Is there any students done studied from Atlanta

Beth ->Anand

Anand, yes you are more than welcome to apply while living in Atlanta. We have had a handful of students travel to and from Atlanta. If you would like to me to connect you with either a current student or alum from Atlanta, please send an email to eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu and I'd be happy to connect you.

Brendan -> Krista

One more quick question. Historically for recruiting, do most students remain in the Chicago area or do you see interest from recruiters nationally/internationally?

Krista -> Brendan

Hi Brendan, the job opportunities are located all over the world. Each year there are roughly 5,500 jobs posted for Booth students and 1/3 of those are international jobs.

EveningMBAcand -> George

this question is really more for other people interested in part-time MBA not on the Booth staff or if people on the Booth staff want to chime in, what are some of the main factors you guys are considering in choosing your MBA program?

George -> EveningMBAcand

I will post this and see what responses we get. it will be interesting to see responses.

sr236 -> Krista

Do you award any fellowships or scholarships in the Evening program?

Krista -> sr236

SR236, The part-time program does not offer scholarships or fellowships. Since the majority of our students are working, they use their savings, income and financial aid to help pay for their tuition.

Allan_Y -> Beth

Hi. Thanks for holding this session. I am interested in the weekend MBA and would be flying in. What type of resources/support are available to help those flying in during the weekends?

Beth ->Allan_Y

Allan, thank you for your interest in the Weekend MBA program. Our office provides a complimentary shuttle to and from both Chicago airports on Saturday for our commuter students. Our office is open Saturdays from 8:00am-5:00pm to provide support for our Weekend students. Most of our Weekend students fly in and out on Saturday but we can connect you with students from your area if you would like to split the cost of a hotel room or work to commute together. We are here to help!

Jessica -> Krista

How flexible is the schedule of the Evening program? Would I be able to select the courses that I want for the amount of time that I want or is structured to a set amount of years?

Krista -> Jessica

Hi Jessica, We have the most flexible program on the planet! You must complete 20 classes in the program, but you pick and choose those classes based upon your interest. Most people take 2 classes per quarter and finish the program in 2.5-3 years. During that time, students receive anywhere between 2--4 concentrations as well.

KRISHNA -> Nico

What is the deadline for Weekend MBA 2014?

Nico -> KRISHNA

Hi Krishna. The Weekend MBA deadline for admission to the Fall 2014 quarter is Friday, May 16. We also admit Weekend MBA for the Spring quarter, and that deadline is Friday, January 9, 2015.

Ramana -> Beth

Hi, I am interested in joining evening MBA. I have around 18 years of experience in consulting and manufacturing sectors and living in US for past 6 years. Iam told that while evaluating applicants, apart from other prerequisites like GMAT , TOEFL etc, it is expected to have some social service credits. I am not involved social service activities. Will it impact my chances of getting anadmission in evening MBA?

Beth ->Ramana

Ramana, no this will not negatively impact your admission to Chicago Booth. I would encourage you to talk about things you are passionate about in your application and what makes you unique. On admissions, we are trying to understand what makes you tick and however best you can convey this in your application and your interview we look forward to reading it.

Ramana -> George

Also, Since I completed my undergraduation in India, do I need to take TOEFL test for applying for admission or is GMAT score enough?

George -> Ramana

If you have two years of work experience in the US you need not submit a TOEFL.

George -> Everyone

Did you know?Chicago Booth is the first program to confer a PhD upon a woman. One of the many firsts.

-> Beth

So I have a somewhat low GMAT score as of now (650), however, I'm very keen to take it againâ€”since I had very little prep during the first attempt. I was wondering if I can apply for Autumn 2014, and, if I were to get rejected (presumably, because of the low GMAT score), would it hurt to reapply again for Spring 2015 (with, hopefully, a higher GMAT score).

Beth ->

Gavin, you are more than welcome to apply! We encourage applicants to apply with the score they are happy with. 80% of our admitted students have a GMAT score between 620-750, so you are right in that range. A higher test score will always help to strengthen your application. If you are not admitted, taking your GMAT score again (and hopefully improving) will help to strengthen your application and will demonstrate your committment.

DKubis -> Krista

Hello again, your website suggests that those who live outside of Chicago area should apply to the weekend course and are less likely to be accepted to the evening program. If I plan to transfer jobs to Chicago around the time of the application or shortly thereafter, is it advisable to begin with the weekend application if current job is outside of the Chicago area?

Krista -> DKubis

Hi DKubis, If you plan to move to Chicago before you start school, I would recommend applying to the Evening program. You can explain your relocation in your application so we can better understand your intentions.

KRISHNA -> Beth

It seems there is some problem with the chat session. I am not getting any Chat info. Bye. Thx

For EveningMBAcand: I'd like to keep working to stay close to my industry and the Weekend program fits my unpredictable weekday schedule.

Nico -> Denis

Hi Denis. The Evening MBA and Weekend MBA programs are both ideal for professionals looking to continue working throughout their academics. With classes offered on weekdays for 6 - 9pm and weekends 9am - Noon & 1:30 - 4:30, the programs are very flexible.

Roy -> Beth

how do you select a candidate for interview? Do you filter the candidates by GMAT score, then GPA ..

Beth -> Roy

Roy, all applicants interview for the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA program. Once you submit your application, you will be emailed a link to schedule your interview. All interviews are conducted in person here at the Gleacher Center in Chicago. For our Weekend MBA applicants, we do provide Saturday interview times. During the week we conduct interviews throughout the day.

Andy_Hilgenberg -> Krista

I spoke to Kara at a Booth event in Salt Lake and she said that there have been instances of students transitioning from the part-time program to the full-time program. How often do you see this happen and what circumstances warrant approval for such a change?

Krista -> Andy_Hilgenberg

Hi Andy, transitioning between the part-time and full-time program is difficult so we highly encourage applicants to choose one program before applying. If you are a part-time student and would like to move to the full-time program, you must become an inactive student and re-apply to the full-time program and admission is not guaranteed. It's more common to see part-time students taking more classes per quarter (i.e. 4 classes) instead of transferring programs.

Manuel_A. -> Beth

Thank you for hosting this event. Is there a minimum, or expected score required for the GRE or GMAT?

Beth ->Manuel_A.

Good question. We have no minimum requirement for test scores to apply to Chicago Booth. That being said, 80% of our admitted students have a GMAT score between 620-750. We do not currently have a range for our GRE scores.

Jackie_D -> Krista

Good afternoon! I'll be attending the CBF Day later this month. Do you have any suggestions on where to find additional information regarding what to expect for the day?

Krista -> Jackie_D

Hi Jackie, the CBF Day is going to be great! It includes a one-on-one interview with a CBF student/alum, a group interview, and a tour of the Gleacher Center. Breakfast and lunch will be served and you'll be able to network with other applicants and current students/alumni during that time. We look forward to seeing you there!

Yousuf_H. -> Krista

Is April 26, 2014 the only interview date for the Chicago Business Fellows subset program?

Krista -> Yousuf_H.

Hi Yousuf, If you're applying to the CBF Weekend MBA, the only interview date is April 26. If you're applying to the CBF Evening MBA, there is an additional interview day on June 28.

happycamper56 -> George

Hello, I am a prospective MBA student. What makes your brand stand out from the other MBA programs in the Midwest?

George -> happycamper56

1. Diversity of students. Our program draws students from more cities than our Midwest competitors. 80% of our weekend students attend from outside the state of IL. Also, no company represents more than 12% of the student population, and most no more than 1%. Most of our regional competitors get a predominant number of students from one or two large employers in the town.2. Flexibility of the program. While others say this, they cannot touch our flexibility. You get to choose the class you want from teh time you enter the program. We do not mandate any particular classes. You get to be the CEO of your education. Also, we do not make you choose from a small subset of the concentrations. You are able to get all of our concentrations without having to go to the main campus or take classes during the day. 3. Same faculty for all students. The same faculty teach in all classes and the same material. Many programs bring in visitors and adjuncts for thier part-time program. We have the same faculty teaching the same material, which is why you will see full-time students sitting in part-time classes and some part-time studetns attending full-time classes.4. Community - we offer more events and have more student groups for our part-time students than any other program in the country. ...and i could go on and on, but my queue is backing up. If I can provide more, write me at eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu and I will provide you more data.

RachelRubin -> Nico

What sort of networking opportunities do evening program students have? (outside of the classroom)

Nico -> RachelRubin

Hi RachelRubin! Great question. We have a Career Services department that is dedicated to creating networking opportunities for you with organizations and industry experts. Also, you will have plenty of opportunity to attend social and career focused events hosted by our student run groups. You can find a list of these student groups here: http://chicagobooth.edu/programs/evening/student-experience/beyond-classroom/groups

Manuel_A. -> Beth

Iâ€™m a non-traditional student currently pursuing my bachelorâ€™s degree. I expect to be done this fall, and I was wondering what percentage of students enrolled in your evening program were accepted having a non-traditional student background?

Beth -> Manuel_A.

Good luck with the rest of your bachelor's degree. While I do not have the exact percentage, I can say we do get applicants with non traditional business backgrounds, such as art/history/psychology who apply, are admitted, and are successful in the program. I would recommend explaining in your essays (some individuals choose to use the optional essay for this) why you want your MBA and how it fits in with your career path.

CN -> Krista

Does the CBF interview day count as your interview for the Evening / Weekend program? Or is there a separate interview?

Krista -> CN

CN: The CBF Interview Day counts as your interview for the program. You will not need to interview again.

sr236 -> George

What percentage of candidates do you typically accept into your part-time program?

George -> sr236

I do not know our offer rate. We receive thousands of applications. It is a very competitive program. I do know our yield rate is 80+%.

Moderator -> Everyone

We are half way through the chat and have had great questions so far. Please continue to submit your questions! We will try to answer all of them today.

Jessica -> Nico

What networking opportunities are available for the weekend MBA? How different is from the Weekend and Full-time?

Nico -> Jessica

Hi Jessica! Great question. The difference between the Weekend and Full-Time program is when you take classes. The Weekend program is ideal for working professionals, but we have the same faculty and course offerings as the Full-Time program.

I am interested in booth Evening MBA program. I've been in corporate banking side for over 8 years and now in charge of a corporate banking team of a big bank. I've got oversea experience in Shanghai China where I was grow up. I graduated from the oversea university for 4 years education and graduated, but for some reason I did get the bachelor degree at that moment. Am I qualified to apply with this situation? Thanks

George -> Baby_rock

Baby_rock, send us your transcripts and we can take a look and tell you. I cannot say from what you have written, but we can work together to find out.

Sunny -> Nico

What are the start dates for 2015?

Nico -> Sunny

Hi Sunny. We only have one admission deadline posted for 2015 so far and that is Friday, January 9, 2015. Applications become live 9 months before the admission deadline.

Gagan -> Beth

Can international applicants who are on a work Visa apply by the may 16th deadline

Beth ->Gagan

Gagan, yes, international applicants with a work visa can apply. The part-time program cannot issue student visas.

DKubis -> Krista

Thank you for your time today. If you could provide a little bit of advice. What do you typically look for in the application essays and what distinguishes one applicant from the next?

Krista -> DKubis

Hi DKubis, We look for applicants who are highly motivated and intellectually curious. Their essays are concise, thoughtful and free of grammatical errors. One piece of advice I like to give applicants is have someone read your essays without knowing the questions first. Then ask them, what was I trying to answer?

Ravi_Turlapati -> Nico

Are there any differences between the Weekend MBA and Evening MBA programs? Or is it just a matter of class times? Also can one switch between programs?

Nico -> Ravi_Turlapati

Hi Ravi_Turlapati! The only difference between the Weekend MBA and Evening MBA program is when students take classes. You are able to switch between programs one time during your time as student.

Rahul -> Beth

Hi George, I am planning to apply for weekend MBA for Fall 2014. I am taking my GMAT on May 3, 2014. I know the deadline is May 16, 2014. Will it be better if I wait and apply for Spring 2015 or Can I still apply for Fall 2014? If applying closer to the deadline will have any negative effects?

Beth ->Rahul

Rahul, after completing the GMAT you will receive your unofficial scores, which you can add to your application. Our office can make a final decision on your application based on your unofficial GMAT scores. As long as you are happy with your score, you are more than welcome to submit for the May 16 deadline. As the majority of applicants submit the week of the deadline, applying close to the deadline will have no negative implications.

Gagan1 -> Krista

Can international applicants on a work visa residing in US apply by the May 16th deadline?

Krista -> Gagan1

Hi Gagan1: Yes, if you have a work visa, you're welcome to apply to any of the Booth programs. It's important that you have your visa for the entire time you are studying at Booth since we are unable to offer student visas.

EveningMBAcand -> George

Can anyone provide insight on a Booth vs. Ross (Michigan) Evening MBA comparison? I know Ross has been struggling with enrollment for this program, what is the status of Booth's Evening MBA compared to years past, and how does the future look?

George -> EveningMBAcand

GMAT test tacking is at a 15 year low, so many programs are struggling. We are lucky at Booth that we are a top tier and top ranked program. Additionally, Chicago has the highest % of part-time test takers than any other city in the country, which has benefited us greatly. However, I will say, we always choose quality over quantity, so we would be fine shrinking the program over time if needed. Instead, we are actually growing. Because of the demand for our weekend program, we added a second intake in the spring. We also expanded our classroom space by 30% to accommodate the new students. We opened three more classes in the NBC tower next to Gleacher, along with 16 study carrels and more common space for students to "hang" in. To quote Corey Hart: "The future is so bright we have to wear shades". (sorry, I had to do it)

Gavin -> Beth

Do re-applicants have a fair shot at the decision process? Or, are their odds curtailed because of their previously "failed" application?

Beth ->Gavin

Gavin, re-applicants are viewed favorably by our office as it does show dedication to improving your application.

DKubis -> Beth

What percentage of your admits are Engineers?

Beth -> DKubis

Engineering is one of our popular majors, accounting for 12% of admits.

Hello, I'm considering applying for the weekend MBA program for Autumn 2014, but want to improve my GMAT score so that I can make sure my application is as competitive as possible. I feel confident that my undergrad GPA and nine years of work experience are competitive, however my GMAT score could be better. I'm going to take the GMAT again in two weeks, with the hopes of getting a better score after many more hours/days of studying. My question is: how should I weigh the GMAT score on whether or not I should apply for Autumn 2014?

George -> DavidS

David, it is just one aspect of what we consider. You are smart to give us your best score, but don't let it keep you up at night. It sounds like you have many other qualification that will be very appealing, including your GPA and great experience.

George -> Everyone

Did You Know?The number one job function of our alumni:General Managment

-> Beth

What sort of qualifications do you see for the jobs you have posted? Are they the kind of jobs that you would need to have significant experience prior to obtaining the MBA or are they geared more towards entry level MBA graduates?

Beth ->

Jim, our Career Services posts a wide range of jobs, with varying qualifications. Some jobs are entry level while others require experience - there are a lot of options to pick from!

Moderator -> Everyone

Our chat will be ending in approximately 10 minutes. Please submit your final questions so we can answer all of them.

EveningMBAcand -> George

What percent of the curriculum is online for the evening and weekend mba programs? Do you see this growing/shrinking in the future?

George -> EveningMBAcand

0% Yes, I see opportunities for more online shifting. But, it will not be a substitution, rather it will be a way to enhance the in-classroom learning through tutorials and asynchronous lectures.

Does Booth accept additional recommendation letters and if so, any suggestions for who they should come from or what areas they tend to address?

Krista -> tdturner3442

Hi tdturner3442: We require 2 letters of recommendation and you can have a supplemental recommendation too if you like. If can be someone you know from work who knows you and your personality/qualities. They tend to address, work ethic, leadership skills, areas of success and room for improvement. If you have additional questions feel free to email us at eveningweekend-admissions@chicagobooth.edu

Krista -> Everyone

Hi tdturner3442: The third letter does not have to be from work, that was a typo. It can be from a work or someone you know through one of your outside activities.

james_O -> Beth

Hello Everyone. Thanks so much for this chat. In your previous chat transcripts you mentioned about GSAL classes, Is it important or compulsory to take foundation courses like stats or accounting or any Booth courses towards (higher levels like marketing or entrepreneurial sales ) towards application ? And would B+ or higher suffice a low GMAT- say high 500's?

Beth -> james_O

James, taking courses through GSAL are not required to apply to Chicago Booth but it is another way to demonstate your academic ability. I would recommend taking one of the foundation courses (Business Stats, Financial Accounting, or Microeconomics).

RachelRubin -> George

Thank you for taking my question again. What is your most popular class in the evening program?

George -> RachelRubin

Rachel, at information sessions that is a question that is asked every time of the alumni panel and each person seems to have a different response. It really depends on where your passions lie. Some people like strategy classes, others like the entrepreneurial classes, still others like the managing in the work place classes.

EveningMBAcand -> George

Back to Ross vs. Booth.... What are the top 3 things you think Ross part-time mba is doing wrong because I'm starting to lean towards Booth anyway

George -> EveningMBAcand

I love Ross. To my knowledge they are doing many things right. They are a prisoner of their location to some extent. They are in a market that does not allow for the breadth of students that Chicago provides us. It is much harder to get into Ann Harbor. On the back end they have the same problem. We have a much larger employer base to both provide students as well as hire students when they are complete. Finally, if you are a recruiter and you can only come to a limited amount of cities, would you go to Ann Harbor where you get one great school, or to Chicago where you have access to two top tier schools. Again, I think Ross is doing some great things, I just think they are in a market that makes it difficult to compete for the best talent.

I'm a junior at the U of Michigan Ann Arbor doing a consumer behavior project on how/why applications choose their school, and type of MBA program, specifically identifying the things Ross is doing wrong, in response to that, what do you feel Booth is doing well that Ross isn't

George -> MichiganUndergrad

See my previous post. I think Ross's problem is location, location, location. This affects there ability to draw a wide variety of students as well as placement. Secondly, it may have some affect on their brand, as better known brands are found in larger geographic areas.